US-Iran tensions latest updates: US looks to cut Iraq military aid if troops expelled

Follow the latest developments after Iran admitted its military shot down the plane and anti-regime demonstrations flared across the country

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greets the crowds during Friday prayers in the capital Tehran. AFP

An image grab from footage obtained from the state-run Iran Press news agency on January 17, 2020 shows Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leading the main weekly prayers in Tehran. AFP

Khamenei used this platform to attack the US and Europe and to defend the IRGC over the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane in Tehran, killing all 176 on board. AFP

Students light candles during a memorial ceremony for passengers of Ukraine airplane, at the Tehran university in Iran. EPA

Anti-government protesters attend a demonstration blaming the government for the delayed announcement of the unintentional downing of a Ukrainian plane last week, at the Tehran University campus. AP Photo

Students gather for a demonstration over the downing of a Ukrainian airliner at Tehran University. AFP

Students protest to show their sympathy to victims of Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 at the Tehran University. EPA

Students gather for a demonstration over the downing of a Ukrainian airliner at Tehran University. AFP

Students light candles during a memorial ceremony for passengers of Ukraine airplane at the Tehran university. EPA

Students attend a memorial for the victims of the Ukraine plane crash, in University of Tehran. AFP

Students hold pictures of victims during a memorial for the passengers of the Ukraine plane crash in University of Tehran. AFP

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has dismissed plans for a new “Trump deal” to end Tehran’s ambitions for a nuclear weapon as he called on US forces to leave the region.

In a televised speech, Mr Rouhani called for a return to the 2015 nuclear deal, describing the offer of a new agreement as “strange”. He said that US President Donald Trump could not be trusted to keep his promises.

Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, raised the prospect for a new deal overseen by Donald Trump on Tuesday, a suggestion heartily endorsed by the US president who wants to curtail Iran’s nuclear and missile programme and rein in its regional proxies.

Other developments include:

• Iran's flight downing highlights need for regime change, says former Canadian PM

• Britain’s envoy to Iran leaves Tehran on ‘pre-planned visit'

• Russia urges Gulf states to form common security mechanism

• Why the Afghanistan experience of Esmail Qaani, the man who replaced Suleimani, propelled him to the top job